21-Year-Old American Killed During Violent Clashes In Egypt

Supporters of Egyptian
President Mohamed Mursi shout slogans with Muslim Brotherhood's
flag during a protes in the Cairo suburb of Nasr City, on June
28, 2013.REUTERS/Amr Abdallah
Dalsh

An American citizen has been killed after being caught in
violent protests in Alexandria, Egypt, McClatchy
reports.

There were conflicting reports over how the man was killed. One
report said he was stabbed, while another said he
died from a gunshot wound.

The State Department
confirmed the death to CNN in addition to approving voluntary
departure of staff and families at the U.S. Embassy.

CNN's Jake Tapper reports
the young man has been "identified as Andrew Driscoll Pochter,
21, a college student there for the summer to teach English to
children."

From McClatchy:

Gen. Amin Ezz al Din, the head of security in Alexandria, said
the man, whom he identified as 21 years old, was killed about
3:30 p.m. as he was filming clashes “with a small camera.” Din
said the victim was swept up in a fight and was stabbed in the
chest “with some sort of machete.”

Protesters dragged his body to an ambulance where paramedics
declared him dead, Din said. A Health Ministry official also
confirmed an American death but provided no details.

“Those who killed him and others are suspected thugs,” Din told
McClatchy.

The State Department has ramped up security efforts as political
unrest has intensified throughout the country.
A travel warning has been issued urging U.S. citizens to
"remain alert" and "be vigilant" and U.S. Marines
have been put on alert to protect the Embassy if protests get
worse.

USA Today reports that one Egyptian has died and 88 others
have been injured as violent clashes continue between pro-Morsi
demonstrators and others who are calling for the Egyptian
president to resign.